Corporate governance issues arising from boardroom structure includes how much each member should be paid for what they are expected to do, as Rob Wirszycz discusses in this TV show. Corporate governance issues – Defining roles Remuneration is a really sticky area in a sense. Actually, if [...]

Corporate governance issues arising from boardroom structure includes how much each member should be paid for what they are expected to do, as Rob Wirszycz discusses in this TV show. Corporate governance issues – Defining roles Remuneration is a really sticky area in a sense. Actually, if [...]

Ensuring boards make good strategy development decisions

Business strategy development is the job of the board. In this TV show Rob Wirszycz discusses how they can get these decisions right.

Deciding on strategy development

Boards, I believe, are where decisions are made. And, you know, while you want the Chief Executive and their team to make other decisions, you know, ask forgiveness rather than permission sometimes, but the decisions are in my view, what I call an irrevocable allocation of resources. So, if we make a decision at a Board, we don’t go back and relitigate, unless the facts materially change. I mean I think there’s a quote from John Maynard-Kings, who sort of said, you know, “when the facts change I change my opinion” and that’s the truth, you know, you shouldn’t hold on to something when the facts are materially different. But the Board makes those irrevocable decisions, they write them down, everybody has to agree, so you can’t come out of a Board meeting saying “Well, I know they said that then but I’m doing this”. Decisions are really important in Boards, and that’s the role of the Non-Executives, be they Directors or Chairmen, is to ensure that the decision is taken in a proper context and it’s not because “We would think that way because we’re all in our 40s and 50s and male”.

Importance of preparing for Board meetings

Most good Board meetings, the preparation is done for a couple of days beforehand. You make calls and you find out, you know, what’s on the agenda, so you should receive the agenda at least two days beforehand, you should be able to have read the pack as soon as you get it and you should get on the phone to ask questions if you don’t understand stuff. I’ve seen too many people actually read Board packs actually in the meeting and then the meeting becomes a boring sort of thing of people literally reading and catching up. So that to me is inexcusable. But in terms of new sort o, so the thing is about preparation, you’ve got to be prepped, so you’ve got to know your stuff, you should know your numbers, you should have your questions ready.